Kidnapping Suspect Guilty Of Gun Charges

A Dade County man suspected in the kidnapping of a man whose body was found in a Palm Beach County sugar cane field was convicted Friday of illegally possessing a stockpile of weapons.

George Robert Studnicka will next face trial on kidnapping and extortion charges stemming from the abduction of George Vios, 43.

The circumstances surrounding the murder of Vios, whose body was found in March 1983, is still under investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff`s Office.

At the time of his murder, Vios was wanted in Charlotte, N.C., on charges that he was involved in a stolen car ring.

The week-long trial of Studnicka that ended Friday in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale involved his possession of a dozen weapons, including machine guns and sawed-off shotguns and silencers, some of which were purchased at a Hollywood gun shop.

At the time, Studnicka should not have been in possession of the weapons because they were not properly registered and because he was under indictment on marijuana-smuggling charges.

The weapons were found in a North Miami Beach apartment where Studnicka and two others were arrested in May 1983.

Agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Sheriff`s Office tracked Studnicka to the apartment for questioning on the disappearance of Vios and also because he was wanted on marijuana smuggling charges and on weapons charges.

Investigators found the guns hidden around the apartment and arrested Studnicka as he was trying to flee, Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe told jurors.

``Why was he running? He was running because he was trying to avoid a day like this that he would have to stand before you,`` Kehoe said in closing statements.

Studnicka did not take the stand, but his attorney, Benedict P. Kuehne, argued that the guns belonged to others who lived in the apartment.

Also arrested with Studnicka were Gerald Schockett and Mary Armpriester, who were living at the North Miami Beach apartment.